My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding

cake is so

lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the

Rae.” Julian stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what should

the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a

sing the ‘Happy

must close her eyes

blow out

that there

in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

a wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the

head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at

Rachel gentled and, under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake

to say thank you!” their

plates, the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that,

streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the

important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about anything else.

well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s

regretting bringing up the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to

she turned and headed

she was inside her apartment and about to close

propped open by a large

made all the

out on business?

he slid sideways into the house and shut the

see you’ve been getting along fine

steps back.

stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie

suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin

step he approached her,

idea

hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all